If you are a travel nurse, you know all about relocations and irregular schedules. Does it make maintaining a healthy lifestyle difficult? If staying fit while traveling presents a challenge, here are strategies to help you.

Eating Healthy

You make a big difference in the lives of your patients, and maintaining a healthy diet is essential to sustain your energy and focus while providing excellent care. So, plan. Before you arrive at your new assignment, research the local grocery stores and healthy restaurants. Apps such as Yelp or Google Maps can help you.

Consider prepping meals in advance. When you cook at home, you control the ingredients and the portion sizes. Keep healthy snacks like nuts, fruits, yogurt, and granola bars with you to avoid the unhealthy vending machines.

Staying hydrated is crucial for providing care and staying healthy. Carry a reusable water bottle with you to maintain your energy levels.

Exercising

Finding time to exercise is likely challenging, considering your busy schedule. However, regular physical activity is critical for staying physically fit. Choose short workouts that are high-intensity and easy to fit into your day. For example, you might try a 15-minute HIIT workout in your living space. You can stretch at any time, and this helps with flexibility and stress reduction.

Bodyweight exercises are convenient and practical. They require no equipment and can be performed practically anywhere. Push-ups, squats, lunges, and planks are excellent examples. Local gyms are another option; many feature day passes or short-term memberships.

Staying Active During Assignments

Incorporating movement into your daily routine is easy. Even on the busiest days, you can stay active by moving. Here are suggestions:

• Walk or bike. If possible, walk or bike to your destination. It’s a practical way to integrate exercise into your day.
• Take the stairs. Take the stairs instead of elevators and escalators for more physical movement in your daily routine.
• Active breaks. Instead of heading for vending machines on break, stretch or take a short walk. It will clear your mind and keep you energized during your shift.

Rest and Stress Management

Sufficient rest and stress management are essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You can start by creating a consistent sleep schedule. Try going to bed simultaneously every day, even on off days. Consistency helps to regulate your body’s internal clock—practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. Consider reducing screen time before bed to improve the quality of your sleep.

Are you looking for a new travel nurse assignment?

With planning and commitment, you can stay fit as a travel nurse. A balanced diet, regular exercise, staying active at work, and managing sleep and stress can help you maintain your well-being and provide the best patient care. If you are looking for an assignment, ADN Healthcare can help you. Let 40 years of healthcare staffing experience help you find your next travel nursing assignment.